Let me begin by saying, on behalf of all of us at Multifamily Design+Construction and our parent company, SGC Horizon, that I wish you and your family, friends, and coworkers well amid the turmoil of this terrible pandemic.
Turning to more mundane matters, multifamily seems to be one sector in the construction industry that’s holding its own. The AIA’s Architectural Billing Index for August showed multifamily at a three-month rolling index of 47.5—not great (a score above 50 indicates positive growth), but well above mixed-practice (44.0), institutional (39.5), and commercial/industrial (35.4). AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA, ventured so far as to say that multifamily “came close to seeing billings growth for July” (the last month measured).
Some positives for multifamily housing
Baker’s opinion was confirmed by Brad Hunter, former Managing Director at RCLCO (now Principal at Hunter Housing Economics), in a segment (https://bit.ly/3lVZ1QM) of “The Weekly” (horizontv.bdcnetwork.com), our new streaming service (Thursdays, 1pm Eastern).
Citing RCLCO’s Mid-Year 2020 Sentiment Survey, Hunter said most analysts believed multifamily rental and active-adult housing had “already hit bottom,” although independent living and assisted living/memory care were “still in full downturn mode.”
In speaking to many multifamily architects and contractors over the summer I came away with the feeling that, while their businesses had suffered a huge hit in March, April, and early May, conditions had started to brighten in late May and June—not gangbusters, to be sure, but steady improvement that continued into the Labor Day weekend.
Student housing in turmoil
I interviewed Mitch Dalton, Chief Director of Design at Core Spaces, in early July for “The Weekly” (https://bit.ly/3i6zzFB) about his company’s survey of 2,500 of its tenants—students who live in Core Spaces’ off-campus housing. Ninety percent said they wanted to come back to campus. Most (73%) said they would return to their off-campus apartments even if their institutions offered only online instruction. Most (60%) said they were dissatisfied with remote learning. Even so, four in five (80%) said they would rather study remotely in their college apartments than at home.
A month after my chat with Dalton, many of the nation’s more than 4,000 colleges and universities were still struggling with whether to open for in-person instruction, go fully remote, or try some sort of hybrid scheme. Most eventually went 100% online, but some, notably the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, opened up the campus, only to have to shut down a week later when clusters of Tar Heels started testing positive for the virus. What a mess. Let’s hope for a proven vaccine soon. Meanwhile, please keep safe, wear your mask (and PPE on the job site), wash your hands, and maintain a safe distance.
Related Stories
Mixed-Use | Jul 14, 2020
Apartments and condos occupy what was once a five-story car dealership
Wisznia | Architecture+Development designed, developed, and is managing the project.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 7, 2020
AEMSEN develops concept for sustainable urban living
The concept has been created for the redevelopment of the lots on the Barbizonlaan in Capelle aan den IJssel.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 29, 2020
New affordable housing development comes to the Bay Area
The two phase project will provide 100 affordable units total.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 23, 2020
11 tips on how to install EV charging stations in multifamily housing
A top sustainability expert gives the whys and wherefores of installing electric vehicle charging posts in your next multifamily enterprise.
Coronavirus | Jun 19, 2020
Experts address COVID-19's impact on nursing homes and schools on The Weekly
The June 18 episode of BD+C's "The Weekly" is available for viewing on demand.
Senior Living Design | Jun 11, 2020
COVID-19: An "outdoor living room" for senior living residents to safely visit with their families
Aegis Living creates a plexiglass-wrapped outdoor space for residents to sit while visiting with family members.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 10, 2020
60-unit independent senior living facility completes in Crystal Lake, Ill.
UrbanWorks designed the project.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 9, 2020
Two 56-story prefabricated towers will make up Singapore’s newest residential district
ADDP Architects designed the project.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 4, 2020
Roof hatches selected for infill townhomes in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood
Townhome project in Little Havana, Miam, Fla., uses BILCO roof hatches for reliability, code compliance.
Multifamily Housing | May 29, 2020
New multifamily project includes energy storage as an amenity
Each battery is linked to an on-site solar panel array.